Connector for concrete panels

ABSTRACT

Connectors for connecting preformed concrete panels, which connectors have doubletee flanges extending from a center flange, forming a U shape, with the flanges twisted at their ends an angle of 90 degrees from the center, forming a curved surface between the ends and the center flange, the connectors carried in and having the center flanges flush with the sides of the panels, each center flange meeting a like center flange in an adjoining panel, with the center flanges welded together to connect the concrete panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a connector for connecting concrete panels, ofthe type which is formed from a strip of metal, which has a centerflange and two side flanges perpendicular thereto, and bent from theirends at a ninety degree angle to form a U shaped connector, forinsertion into a concrete panel and, which abuts a like connector in anadjoining panel with the center flanges welded together to connect thepanels.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Precast concrete panels are widely used in the construction industry toform the floor, walls or roof of buildings. These precast panels areusually formed offsite in a factory, where rebar is placed in a form andconcrete is poured therein and left to harden. It is desirable to beable to accurately line up the panels for shear transfer between thepanels. Typically weld plates or grout keys have been used to handle theshear transfer, which were embedded in the concrete, in the mold orimmediately after casting. It is difficult to obtain the degree ofaccuracy or the desired holding power using these devices. Anotherproposed device uses wings embedded in concrete with an angled faceplate at the edge of the panel, which is matched to a face plate on anadjoining panel. A round is placed between the face plates and they arewelded together.

This structure is not entirely satisfactory, in that the wings are notwell retained in the panel and are difficult to align.

The connectors of the invention do not suffer from the prior artproblems, and provide many advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connector for connecting concrete panels of U shape with a centerflange and two side flanges extending therefrom carried in a concretepanel with the side flanges bent at an increasing angle along theirlengths, to a ninety degree angle at their ends, with the center flangewelded to a like flange in an adjacent panels.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a U shaped connectorto connect precast concrete panels.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector, which isfabricated from a single strip of metal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector whichprovides improved shear stress transfer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector, which hasprovisions for insertion of reinforcing rods.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector which issimple and inexpensive to fabricate and which is sturdy and reliable inuse.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector, whichreduces the costs of assembling the concrete panels.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector that canwithstand relative movement between adjacent members without causingdistress in the concrete.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will beapparent from the description and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be morereadily understood from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming part thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a connector in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 1A is a vertical sectional view taken on the line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the connector embedded in aconcrete panel;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing two adjacent concrete panels connectedtogether by the connectors of FIG. 1, and

x FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a plurality of concrete panelsconnected together by the connectors of the invention.

It should of course be understood that the description and drawingsherein are merely illustrative, and that various modifications andchanges can be made in the structures, and embodiments disclosed withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

When referring to the preferred embodiment, certain terminology will beutilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended toencompass not only the described embodiment, but also technicalequivalents, which operate and function in substantially the same way tobring about the same result.

Preferring now more particularly to the drawings and FIGS. 1-4 thereofthe connector 10 of the invention is therein illustrated. The connector10 is of U shape, and includes a center flange 11 and two side flanges12 and 14. The connector 10 is preferably formed by bending a flat stripof metal, preferably stainless steel, of two inch width, and one quarterinch thickness with an initial length of twenty inches. The side flangesare bent to an angle of 90°, six inches from the end of the strip, andthe ends of the flanges are twisted at an angle of 90°; providing curvedsurfaces 16 and 17.

The side flanges 12 and 14 can be provided with two or more holes 15, of¾ inch diameter, in surfaces 16 and 17, which can engage with theconcrete panels or with reinforcing rods (not shown) for improvedretention in the concrete panels (to be described).

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-4, portions of concrete panels 20 areillustrated with connectors 10 therein.

The connectors 10 are inserted into molds (not shown) with the centerflanges 11 flush with the outer edges 22 of the panels 20. Concrete ispoured into the molds (not shown), and after hardening the panels 20 areremoved from the molds, and transported to the job site for assembly.After placement of the completed panels 20, bars 23 are inserted betweenadjacent flanges 11 to space the panels 20. The flanges 11 and bars 23are welded together.

If desired, reinforcing rods (not shown) may be inserted into holes 15of side flanges 12 and 14 for added retention of the connectors 10.

It will thus be seen that connectors have been provided with which theobjects of the invention are attained.

1. A connector for connecting adjacent concrete panels which comprises aflat center flange. a pair of side flanges connected to said centerflange at a 90° angle, forming a U shape, said side flanges having endswhich are twisted at a 90° angle to the center flange, forming curvedsurfaces between said center flange and said side flange ends.
 2. Aconnector as defined in claim 1 which is formed from a single metallicstrip.
 3. A connector as defined in claim 1 in which said side flangecurved surfaces have at least one opening therein.
 4. A connector asdefined in claim 1 in which said center flange is eight inches long,said side flanges are six inches long, said center flange is two incheshigh, and said center and side flanges are of one quarter inchthickness.
 5. A connector as defined in claim 2 in which said metallicstrip is of stainless steel.